White-Coat Hypertension

White-coat (or office) hypertension refers to blood pressure that rises above its usual level when it is measured in a clinic setting, such as a doctor's office, where a nurse or doctor may be wearing a white lab coat.

White-coat hypertension is more common in people who have high blood pressure than it is in people who have normal blood pressure. It tends to decrease with repeat measurements.

Current as of: September 21, 2016

Author: Healthwise Staff

Medical Review: Adam Husney, MD - Family Medicine & E. Gregory Thompson, MD - Internal Medicine & Martin J. Gabica, MD - Family Medicine & Robert A. Kloner, MD, PhD - Cardiology